Shivaji: Encyclopedia II - Shivaji - Shivaji's rule

Shivaji - Shivaji's rule

After his coronation, Shivaji launched a wave of conquests in southern India with a massive force of 50,000 (30,000 cavalry & 20,000 infantry). He defeated and captured the forts at Vellore and Jinji in modern day Tamilnadu. He also signed a friendship treaty with the Kutubshah of Golconda. Shivaji died in 1680 at Raigad, after running a fever for three weeks.

Shivaji successfully fought the Mughals to create a powerful independent state. During his early career he was only able to defeat small Mughal contingents stationed in villages. Later on he defeated major Mughal armies in the battles of Salher and Vani-Dindori.

Shivaji established an effective civil and military administration. He also built a powerful navy and erected new forts like Sindhudurg and strengthened old ones like Vijaya durg on the west coast. The Maratha navy held its own against the British, Portuguese and Dutch till Maratha internal conflict brought their downfall in 1756.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Shivaji's rule", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki